July 13, 2023 at 9:00 AM - State Board of Education

Description:  Each appeal under this section was timely filed. Each appeal comes to the State Board of Education due to the nonresident district denying the applicant on the basis of lack of capacity.

Description:  The family appeals the rejection of their school choice application by the nonresident school district, Bauxite, due to lack of capacity. The resident district is the Bryant School District. 

Description:  The family appeals the rejection of their school choice application by the nonresident school district, Des Arc, due to lack of capacity. The resident school district is the Hazen School District.

Description:  The family appeals the rejection of their school choice application by the nonresident school district, Des Arc, due to lack of capacity. The resident school district is the Hazen School District.

Description:  The family appeals the rejection of their school choice application by the nonresident school district, Pulaski County Special School District, due to lack of capacity. The resident school district is the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District.

Description:  The family appeals the rejection of their school choice application by the nonresident school district, Pottsville, due to lack of capacity. The resident school district is the Russelville School District.

Description:  The Jacksonville North Pulaski School District is seeking waivers to continue its digital learning program. These waivers are only being requested for one year.

Description:  The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education recommends that the Cutter Morning Star School District be placed on Accredited - Probation Status for violation of Standards 2-B.2 which states that "[e]ach public school district shall maintain accurate student attendance records in a format prescribed by the Division."(D/P) and Standard 3-A.3 which states that "[e]ach public school district shall submit accurate and timely reports deemed necessary to assure compliance with federal and state law and the rules of the Division, as requested." (D/C) The Cutter Morning Star School District timely filed an appeal of the Division's recommendation.

Description:  Educational Testing Service (ETS) has updated four 7-12 science Praxis^® tests and three K-12 school professional tests currently used by DESE for various educator licenses. DESE recommends adopting updated Praxis^® assessments for Life Science/Biology (7-12), Chemistry (7-12), Earth Science (7-12), Physics (7-12), Guidance and Counseling (K-12), Library Media Specialist (K-12), and School Psychology Specialist (K-12).

Praxis^® Biology (5236) - passing score of 142
Praxis^® Chemistry (5246) - passing score of 133
Praxis^® Earth and Space Sciences (5572) - passing score of 141
Praxis^® Physics (5266) - passing score of 133
Praxis^® School Counselor (5422) - passing score of 146
Praxis^® School Librarian (5312) (fm. Library Media Specialist) - passing score of 141
Praxis^® School Psychologist (5403) - passing score of 142
 

Description:  The Department requests approval of these Emergency Rules Governing Education Freedom Accounts promulgated pursuant to Act 237 of 2023.  

Description:  The Department requests approval to release the Rules Governing Education Freedom Accounts, promulgated pursuant to Act 237 of 2023, for public comment. 

Description:  On or before August 31 of each year, each education service cooperative shall file with the State Board of Education for the state board’s approval an annual report as outlined in Section 21 of ADE Rules Governing Educational Service Cooperatives (8 ESC reports attached)

Description:  The requested use of FY23 ABC funds is for one-time classroom set-ups and to assist in the refurbishing Jada Sims Academy in Wynne, AR that was destroyed by a tornado on March 31, 2023.

The FY23 ABC funds are remaining from approved ABC Grantees who elected to utilize the sliding fee scale.

The reallocation of remaining ABC funds will provide the five listed ABC Programs to set-up the approved Pre-K classrooms in preparation of the 2023-24 early childhood services to qualifying families and children in their community. The reallocation of remaining ABC funds will also provide the opportunity for Shirley Simmons dba Jada Sims Academy, formerly known as Wynne Community Enlightenment, to refurbish the preschool classrooms with learning materials, equipment, supplies, and furnishings that were destroyed by the March 31^st tornado.

Description:  Arkansas Code Annotated § 6-17-309 requires local school districts to secure a waiver when classrooms are staffed with unlicensed teachers for longer than 30 days. Requests were received from 27 school districts for a total of 45 waivers. There was also  a request from 1 school district requesting a total of 1 waiver for a long-term substitute. These requests have been reviewed, were either approved or denied by DESE staff, and are consistent with program guidelines.

Description:  Per Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-422, members of the PLSB serve rotating terms and are appointed by the State Board following nominations made by professional education associations.  Dr. Luke Lovins, Superintendent of Bay School District, has been nominated by the Arkansas Rural Ed Association to fill the position being vacated by Dr. Joe Fisher, whose term expires on June 30, 2023.  Dr. Lovins' term is to begin immediately upon appointment and end on June 30, 2026.

Description:  Per Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-422, members of the PLSB serve rotating terms and are appointed by the State Board following nominations made by professional education associations.  Mr. J. D. Keeling, principal of Dardanelle Middle School, has been nominated by the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators (AAEA) to continue his service on the Board. The term of this member is to begin immediately upon re-appointment and end on June 30, 2026.
 

Description:  Under Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-422, members of the PLSB serve rotating terms and are appointed by the State Board following nominations made by professional education associations. Mr. Dudley Webb, III, 5th grade reading and writing teacher at Lake Hamilton School District, has been nominated by the Arkansas State Teachers Association to continue his representation of classroom teachers on the Board.  The term of this member is to begin immediately upon appointment and end on June 30, 2026.
 

Description:  Per Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-422, members of the PLSB serve rotating terms and are appointed by the State Board following nominations made by professional education associations. Dr. Tiffany Bone, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction at the Fort Smith School District, has been nominated by the Arkansas Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (AASCD). This position is being vacated by Dr. Sheena Williamson as she is retiring as executive director of the AASCD. The term of this member is to begin immediately upon appointment and end on June 30, 2026.

Description:  Per Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-422, members of the PLSB serve rotating terms and are appointed by the State Board following nominations made by professional education associations.  Mr. Hosea Born, art teacher at Hope Academy of Public Service, has been nominated by the Arkansas Education Association to continue his representation on the Board.  The term of this member is to begin immediately upon appointment and end on June 30, 2026.
 

Description:  Per Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-422, members of the PLSB serve rotating terms and are appointed by the State Board following nominations made by professional education associations. Ms. Brandi Cheers, a third-grade teacher at Marion Math, Science & Technology Magnet School, has been nominated by the Arkansas State Teachers Association to represent classroom teachers. This position is being vacated by Ms. Lynne Gronseth whose term expires June 30, 2023. The term of this member is to begin immediately upon appointment and end on June 30, 2026.
 

Description:  Violation of Standard 1. An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. Violation of Standard 2. an educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. Violation of Standard 3. An educator honestly fulfills reporting obligations associated with professional practices. Violation of Standard 8. An educator, while on school premises or at school-sponsored activities involving students, refrains from: 
a) using, possessing and/or being under the influence of alcohol or unauthorized drugs/substances, and/or possessing items prohibited by law, or b) possessing or using tobacco or tobacco-related products, e-cigarettes, e-liquid, or vapor products, or c) abusing/misusing prescription medications or other authorized substances as evidenced by impairment. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Suspension of License for 1 year followed by a 2 year probation and assess a $300 fine. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: Title: The New Art and Science of Teaching: More Than Fifty New Instructional Strategies for Students Success (152p) Author: Robert J. Marzano ISBN-13: 978-1943874965. Written reflection regarding how the book will impact the educator’s classroom practices in the future. Written reflection due to the PLSB for approval within 30 days prior to the end of suspension for suspension removal. 6 Hours of content specific training in area of employment through Education Cooperative or Arkansas IDEAS in addition to state/district professional development requirements. Written reflection regarding how the training will impact the educator’s classroom practices in the future. Written reflection regarding training due to the PLSB for approval within 60 days of employment. Educator will complete a 1 year suspension, followed by a 2 year probation. Prior to the educator being released from suspension, the educator must provide a letter from a licensed mental health professional stating that she is competent to return to the classroom.  Letter is due to the PLSB for approval within 30 days prior to the end of the suspension for suspension removal. During the suspension and probation, the educator will provide a quarterly report from a mental health professional that she is continuing prescribed treatment. Quarterly reports required to move from suspension to probation.
 

Description:  Violation of Standard 1. An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. Violation of Standard 2. an educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Permanent Revocation of License and assess a $500 fine.
 

Description:  Violation of Standard 1. An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. Violation of Standard 2. an educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Permanent Revocation of License and assess a $500 fine.
 

Description:  Violation of Standard 1. An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. Violation of Standard 2. an educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Level II Public Notification of Ethics Violation for 1 year and assess a $250 fine. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: ERC23004: Code of Ethics Part One: Professional Relationships (.5 Credit Hour), ERC23005: Code of Ethics Part Two: Mental Health Awareness (.5 Credit Hour), Title: You’ve Gotta Connect: Building Relationships that Lead to Engaged Students, Productive Classrooms, and Higher Achievement (280 Pages) Author: James Alan Sturtevant ISBN-10: 1629500046 ISBN-13: 978-1629500046, Title: Real Talk About Classroom Management: 50 Best Practices That Work and Show You Believe in Your Students (296p) Author: Serena Pariser ISBN-13: 978-1544317755 ISBN-10: 1544317751, Completion Anger Management classes. Title: Flipping the Switch: Unleash the Power of Personal Accountability Using the QBQ! (144 p) Author: John G. Miller ISBN 10: 0399152334 ISBN 13: 978-0399152337, Title: The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence (208p) Author: Dacher Keltner ISBN 10: 0143110292 ISBN 13: 978-0143110293,Written Reflection on how each training/book will impact the educator’s interactions and communication with students in the future due to the PLSB for approval no later than January 1, 2024; and require Educator to pay all associated costs.
 

Description:   The district is requesting to increase the charter (Premier High Schools of Arkansas) enrollment cap to 950. The district enrollment cap is 875,  

Description:  Arkansas Virtual Academy Charter School is requesting to reinstate the waiver of Ark. Code Ann. Section 6-17-2403 concerning the minimum teacher compensation schedule.